KOLOA — Ryan Waalani’s big rig marked a first for Hawai‘i last week. “As far as I know, they said this is the first time a Hawai‘i truck has ever been featured in a magazine,” Ryan said at a party
KOLOA — Ryan Waalani’s big rig marked a first for Hawai‘i last week.
“As far as I know, they said this is the first time a Hawai‘i truck has ever been featured in a magazine,” Ryan said at a party celebrating the release of the December issue of 10-4 Magazine.
Ryan’s 2003 Kenworth graced the cover of the periodical based out of Huntington Beach, California. A couple of flips to the centerfold and the green Kenworth pops out of the magazine against the backdrop of the former Grove Farm sugar mill where Waalani Enterprises is headquartered.
“I don’t know how this happened,” Ryan said. “This guy just showed up and started asking questions about the truck. It was all dirty because it was raining and I was making a delivery.”
Ryan’s truck, purchased brand new in 2003, is a Kenworth W900B with a 500 Cummins ISX, an 18-speed transmission, two-speed 46,0900-pound rears, an air-ride cab, spring and walking beam suspension. A factory sound system and metallic green pain rounds out the rig which has been upgraded with stacks and visors, some extra chrome and lights.
“The wait list to get this truck was longer than my arm,” Ryan said as the aroma of grilling steaks filled the yellow-green light of the truck barn. “Originally, I was going to buy a used truck, but things happened, and the guy I was going to buy the truck from changed his mind and I ended up in his slot.”
Ryan said his mom, Barbara who passed away from cancer shortly after the formation of Waalani Enterprises, had a divine hand in making this all come about, states the magazine article.
“When I called my father for the money, I told him ‘We’re getting a new truck,’” Ryan said. “He was really happy.”
The tribute to Barbara was complete at the coming out party, a table bearing her photo with husband Ricky being surrounded by floral arrangements and lei. Ryan’s truck also bears her name — “BarbW.” A huge mural of the centerfold flanked the table.
“They also sent us this big copy of the cover,” Ryan said. “That’s probably going into the office.”
Ryan, along with his brother and two sisters, grew up around trucks since Ricky has been involved in construction and trucking industries since high school.
Following Hurricane Iniki when jobs in hotels and refrigeration blew away with the storm, Ryan turned to one of the booming industries, construction and demolition — a field he never left.
That set the stage for the birth of Waalani Enterprises with Ricky at the head and Ryan’s brother, Ricky Jr. being one of the truck and equipment operators.
Waalani Enterprises today employs 10 employees, many with family affiliations. Its fleet has expanded from the single Kenworth and a few pieces of equipment to more than 10 trucks capable of performing all sorts of hauling.
“We have all different types of trucks,” Ryan said. “There are off-road trucks, rigs and water trucks, and six on the highway.”
As the party unfolded, the green Kenworth loomed over the activities, a trailer hitched in preparation for the next day’s loads as copies of the December issue of 10-4 Magazine were distributed amidst calls for autographs from the featured driver.
“That truck works every day from the day I got it here,” Ryan said. “That’s the best part.”
10-4 Magazine is not sold in Hawai‘i and people who want to see the piece can visit www.tenfourmagazine.com.
